In the African American culture, when someone invites you to a house party the first thing we ask is who’s throwing it? Who’s going to be there? Will food be involved? These three questions are vital to getting a good turn-out to your event. On Saturday, August 3, 2019, Hammer’s House Party Tour rolled through the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in Woodlands, Texas to a sold-out crowd, so word got out that this was the place to be for an amazing night. With MC Hammer as the headliner, other special guests in the form of hip-hop legends Doug E. Fresh, Tone Loc, Kid N Play, Rob Base, and Sir Mix-A-Lot also performed their smash hits as a bonus.
Whether you were born in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, or 2000s the crowd was filled with a diverse group of people who relish true hip-hop & R&B music. The crowd stood on their feet the majority of the evening and had an absolute good time. Besides, who goes to a house party to sit down and be a wallflower? Dancing is a must and the energy in the room was electric.
Upon entering the venue, Doug E. Fresh opened up with an invigorating set to get the crowd hype. His beatboxing skills are unmatched and every performance he gives proves that Doug E. Fresh is the hip-hop Goat in this realm. Tone Loc’s (Anthony Terrell Smith) unique voice brought back nostalgia as he rapped with a heavy and raspy tone to “Funky Cold Medina” and “Wild Thing” while a few ladies graced the stage for a back-up dancer moment.
Kid N Play reminded us why they will always be the hip-hop jokesters with slick moves and their smoke suit jackets were so clean and chic. Kid (Christopher Reid) is still hilarious and ever so silly and I’m glad that he hasn’t changed much, although his high-top fade has transitioned to a modern low cut natural grown man form. Play (Christopher Martin) represented as the smooth chocolate brother that can still rock the stage with a debonair effervescent style.
Harlem, New York legend Rob Base (Rodney Bryce) moved the crowd with classics from his Platinum debut album featuring songs “Joy and Pain” and “It Takes Two” as he gave respect to his former hip-hop duo partner DJ E-Z Rock who passed away in 2014 due to health complications.
Sir Mix-A-Lot (Anthony Ray) shared a fun fact with the audience when he described negotiating with a car dealer in Fifth Ward, Texas. “I learned that money talks and bulls**t walks.” The speakers began to burst with excitement as “My Hooptie” and “Posse On Broadway” made the crowd scream. The closer of all closers ensued with the 1992 hit “Baby Got Back” as some hopeful Sir Mix-A-Lot audience dancers demonstrated they have much junk in the trunk.
Then the moment we were all waiting for arrived as MC Hammer (Stanley Burrell) tore up the stage left, right, center, and even came down to the audience floor to give us house party vibes out of this world. In case you were wondering yes, MC Hammer still has that famous agility to do his signature moves flawlessly. One thing in particular that I have always admired about MC Hammer is that he is a true performer. His background dancers are always on point and they brought their a-game to make this tour hotter than we anticipated.
MC Hammer took time in his show to give an inspiring and significant moment of prayer to honor the families and victims of the shooting that occurred earlier in the day in El Paso, Texas. Hammer then performed his 1990 platinum song “Pray” which includes a sample of Prince’s 1984 song, “When Doves Cry” as the permeating outcry for change.
The ladies in the audience closest to the stage were quite pleased to receive beautiful red roses as Hammer sang the 1990 song “Have You Seen Her” with major emphasis. One of my all-time favorite MC Hammer songs that I forgot was even in my repertoire of banging joints is “Pumps & A Bump” from his 1994 album titled THE FUNKY HEADHUNTER. I almost lost it for a minute and forgot I was out in public. My “Hot Girl’ summer came alive at that moment and it was all good.
And of course, MC Hammer had to close the show with a grand finale of at least 100 people on stage as the crowd chanted, “Can’t Touch This” for a spectacular it’s time to shut down the party before we all go home celebration.
Overall, this show was well thought out and put together nicely for a cohesive experience. Hammer’s House Party continues on August 9, 2019, in Maryland Heights, MO and concludes on October 19, 2019, in Welch, MN. If you have the opportunity to see the show in a city near you, it is worth it. Visit Ticketmaster.com for show dates and times.
View a short clip of MC Hammer, his sons, a fan, and dancers battling it out on stage at the Hammer’s House Party on August 3.
